CPU Comparison
Intel Core i5-10400H vs Intel Core i5-12450H
A side-by-side comparison of specs, performance and value. The Intel Core i5-10400H is a 10th generation mobile processor tailored for mainstream gaming laptops and portable workstations. Launched in April 2020, it belongs to the Comet Lake-H family and is built on Intel's 14nm process. It features 4 cores and 8 threads, delivering reliable multi-threaded performance for its segment. The base clock speed is 2.6 GHz, which can boost up to 4.6 GHz under load, offering strong single-core performance for gaming. With a 45W TDP, it strikes a balance between power and thermal output, fitting well in mid-range laptop designs. It includes 6 MB of Intel Smart Cache and supports dual-channel DDR4 memory up to 2933 MT/s. Like other H-series chips, it includes basic integrated graphics but is intended to be paired with a dedicated GPU. Its 16 PCIe 3.0 lanes ensure sufficient bandwidth for mobile graphics and fast storage solutions.
The Bottom Line
Overview & Launch
Specifications Compared
Performance Compared
Productivity
4 cores hold it back in heavy multi-threaded productivity apps.
8 cores provide smooth multitasking for daily laptop use.
Gaming
Performs slightly better than 10300H due to higher clocks, good for 1080p.
Handles esports and mid-range gaming well when paired with a decent mobile GPU.
Virtualization
Basic VM support, but limited by core count.
Can run basic VMs but limited by mobile power constraints.
Efficiency
Standard 14nm mobile efficiency, gets warm under load.
Good balance of performance and battery life.
Specialized Performance
AI / ML
- No dedicated AI hardware.
- CPU-based inference is basic.
- Basic CPU inference
- No dedicated AI hardware
Content Creation
Gaming
- Higher clock speeds give a slight edge over the 10300H.
- Good pairing for GTX 1660 Ti or RTX 2060 mobile.
- Bottlenecks can occur in modern CPU-heavy games.
- Suitable for budget gaming laptops
- 4 P-cores handle games well
- E-cores manage background tasks
Industry Impact
Best CPU by Use Case
Target Audience
Strengths & Weaknesses
Pros
- Higher clock speeds than 10300H
- Good single-core performance
- Supports DDR4-2933
- Reliable for eSports and older AAA games
Cons
- Still only 4 cores
- Soldered and non-upgradable
- 14nm process is not power efficient
- Outclassed by AMD Ryzen 5 4600H
Pros
- Hybrid 8-core design
- Good single-core performance
- Supports DDR5 and PCIe 4.0
- Excellent for budget gaming laptops
- Decent power efficiency
Cons
- Only 12MB of L3 cache
- Basic UHD integrated graphics
- Locked multiplier
- Soldered to motherboard (BGA)
Competitors & Alternatives
Intel Core i5-10400H
- AMD Ryzen 5 4600HRival
Mobile Mainstream
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-10300HRival
Mobile Mainstream
- Intel Core i7-10750HRival
Mobile High-End
- AMD Ryzen 7 4800HRival
Mobile High-End
- Intel Core i5-9300HRival
Previous Gen Mobile
- Intel Core i5-11400HAlt
Better IPC and architecture.
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600HAlt
Much faster and more efficient.
Modern hybrid architecture.
Compare head-to-head
Intel Core i5-12450H
- AMD Ryzen 5 5600HRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 7 5700URival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i7-11800HRival
Mobile
- AMD Ryzen 5 6600HRival
Mobile
- Compare head-to-headIntel Core i5-12500HRival
Mobile
Significantly better performance for heavy workloads.
Compare head-to-head- AMD Ryzen 7 6800HAlt
Better integrated graphics and multi-core performance.
- Intel Core i5-11400HAlt
Older but cheaper alternative if on a strict budget.
Our Verdict on Each
A solid 4-core mobile CPU with slightly higher clocks than the 10300H, providing a small bump in performance for mainstream gaming laptops.
Best for: Buying a used mid-range gaming laptop at a discount.
Read the full reviewA solid entry-level mobile processor bringing hybrid architecture to budget gaming laptops.
Best for: If you are shopping for an entry-level gaming laptop, the Core i5-12450H provides excellent value. It offers the core benefits of Intel's 12th Gen hybrid architecture without the premium price tag. It pairs well with mid-range mobile GPUs like the RTX 3050 or 4050. However, if you plan to do heavy video editing or 3D rendering, you might want to look for a laptop with the i5-12500H or i7-12700H for better multi-core performance. For pure 1080p gaming and school work, this CPU is more than sufficient.
Read the full reviewFrequently Asked Questions
Which is better, Intel Core i5-10400H or Intel Core i5-12450H?
Based on our editorial ratings, the Intel Core i5-12450H comes out ahead with a score of 8.2/10. That said, the best choice depends on your workload — check the spec and performance breakdown above for gaming, productivity and efficiency differences.
Which is faster for gaming, Intel Core i5-10400H or Intel Core i5-12450H?
For gaming, the Intel Core i5-12450H leads with a gaming performance score of 75/100 among Intel Core i5-10400H and Intel Core i5-12450H.
Do Intel Core i5-10400H and Intel Core i5-12450H use the same socket?
No. They use different sockets (Intel Core i5-10400H: BGA 1440, Intel Core i5-12450H: BGA 1744), so each needs a compatible motherboard.
Which has more cores?
The Intel Core i5-12450H has the most cores. Core counts: Intel Core i5-10400H (4 cores), Intel Core i5-12450H (8 cores).
Which is faster in multi-core benchmarks?
The Intel Core i5-12450H posts the highest multi-core benchmark score. Multi-core results: Intel Core i5-10400H (9,500), Intel Core i5-12450H (15,000). Benchmark figures are approximate and workload-dependent.